Johnson Carolina Series

[mattk22]

You guys that have owned one for a little while now, how do you like them? I am thinking of getting a JO-16 to use as my, for lack of a better term, beater guitar. Something I take outside and use, and that just sits in the living room, so I don't have to constantly keep an eye on my McElroy. It worries me when it isn't in its case or on a stand.

 

Also, if anyone is selling one, give me a shout.

[DonK]

I have a JO-27 and love it, but from what I've heard it's a very different guitar from the JO-16. I've heard some negative things about the JO-16 and the 16 series Johnson's generally.

 

As to my JO-27, it was between that and a Martin 000-28EC. The construction of the JO-27 of the Johnson is certainly not up to that of the Martin, though it's very good (just minor cosmetic things), but the sound is comparable IMO (which surprised me). I could have sprung for the Martin, but I didn't see where I'd be getting 6 times the value for for 6 times the price. In particular, I saw very little difference in sound quality and playability.

[Rudygee2]

 

I have a JO-27 and love it, but from what I've heard it's a very different guitar from the JO-16. I've heard some negative things about the JO-16 and the 16 series Johnson's generally. As to my JO-27, it was between that and a Martin 000-28EC. The construction of the JO-27 of the Johnson is certainly not up to that of the Martin, though it's very good (just minor cosmetic things), but the sound is comparable IMO (which surprised me). I could have sprung for the Martin, but I didn't see where I'd be getting 6 times the value for for 6 times the price. In particular, I saw very little difference in sound quality and playability.

 

 

Can you elaborate on the bad thing youve heard about the 16 series please?

 

I know when the Johnson Carolinas first came out, there was some question about quality control, and alot of them seemed to have bouts that buldged, but I dont know if it still affects them/affects the 26/27 guitars.

[DonK]

 

Can you elaborate on the bad thing youve heard about the 16 series please? I know when the Johnson Carolinas first came out, there was some question about quality control, and alot of them seemed to have bouts that buldged, but I dont know if it still affects them/affects the 26/27 guitars.

 

 

I specifically asked the dealer where I bought my JO-27 about quality issues before buying, based on a couple of magazine reviews (the main one was in AG). He said the only Johnson's he'd had problems with were the 16's, and basically had sent them back (he strongly implied they were poorly built, though he didn't come right out and say it). Fretwork and neck stability were the main issues he cited. Two other stores I corresponded with made similar comments, basically telling me I was comparing apples and oranges between the 16's and 27's as far as quality (I told them I wasn't looking for a 16, but rather wanted to know about Johnson quality - they said stay away from the 16's and I'd be fine). It made sense at the time, because what I knew about the 16's indicated they weren't just cheaper versions of the Carolina II series (the 16's are Carolina I series). For example, the JO-16 has a REALLY long scale, 25.75", compared to the Martin short-scale 24.9" on the JO-27, and the standard Martin scale of 25.4". The nut width is different (pretty wide at 1 25/32", a hair over the already wide 1.75" of the 27 series and most vintage Martins, so is a lot of other stuff. I just didn't get good vibes about them, though all three places raved about the 27's and 26's, both JD's and JO's.

[Rudygee2]

 

I specifically asked the dealer where I bought my JO-27 about quality issues before buying, based on a couple of magazine reviews (the main one was in AG). He said the only Johnson's he'd had problems with were the 16's, and basically had sent them back (he strongly implied they were poorly built, though he didn't come right out and say it). Fretwork and neck stability were the main issues he cited. Two other stores I corresponded with made similar comments, basically telling me I was comparing apples and oranges between the 16's and 27's as far as quality (I told them I wasn't looking for a 16, but rather wanted to know about Johnson quality - they said stay away from the 16's and I'd be fine). It made sense at the time, because what I knew about the 16's indicated they weren't just cheaper versions of the Carolina II series (the 16's are Carolina I series). For example, the JO-16 has a REALLY long scale, 25.75", compared to the Martin short-scale 24.9" on the JO-27, and the standard Martin scale of 25.4". The nut width is different (pretty wide at 1 25/32", a hair over the already wide 1.75" of the 27 series and most vintage Martins, so is a lot of other stuff. I just didn't get good vibes about them, though all three places raved about the 27's and 26's, both JD's and JO's.

 

 

Thanks alot for telling me this! I originally thought the 16/17 were just cheaper versions....the lam side/back versions. But now I know they are completely different animals qualitywise. If I do end up considering getting a new guitar, I know I'll stay away from the 16 series. Thanks!

[DonK]

 

Thanks alot for telling me this! I originally thought the 16/17 were just cheaper versions....the lam side/back versions. But now I know they are completely different animals qualitywise. If I do end up considering getting a new guitar, I know I'll stay away from the 16 series. Thanks!

 

 

Rudy, if you're seriously interested in a Johnson, I HIGHLY recommend the place I got mine, The Mandolin Store. They're mostly a retailer of high-end mandolins, and they carry some high-end guitars like Collings as well. But they also carry Blueridge and Johnson guitars. I sent them an e-mail with a few questions, and the next day got BOTH a return e-mail and a phone call to answer my questions, all on a guitar on which they probably make next to nothing compared to the mostly high-end, high-margin stuff they sell. You'd have thought I'd inquired about a Collings D-2H or something. Awesome place!

[Rudygee2]

Rudy, if you're seriously interested in a Johnson, I HIGHLY recommend the place I got mine, The Mandolin Store. They're mostly a retailer of high-end mandolins, and they carry some high-end guitars like Collings as well. But they also carry Blueridge and Johnson guitars. I sent them an e-mail with a few questions, and the next day got BOTH a return e-mail and a phone call to answer my questions, all on a guitar on which they probably make next to nothing compared to the mostly high-end, high-margin stuff they sell. You'd have thought I'd inquired about a Collings D-2H or something. Awesome place!

 

Thanks for the suggestion Don. I havent decided I would even get a new guitar, but Im just GASing for an OM. Id definitely need to be able to play it though, cause I have only ever really played my guitar. Im gonna have to go to a bunch of shops and try out as many as possible to see what I like. But I like looking around the net to see which guitars are the supposed best in my price range to make sure I know which ones I should definitely try to find. But thanks for the suggestion! When I have a better idea of exactly what Im looking for, I'll keep them in mind

[pds617]

DonK

It sounds like you've spent some time playing the 000-28EC prior to purchasing the JO-27. IYO what are the primary differences in the the two? Other than the brand/price how is the tone, playing style, neck shape? I'm jones'n for a 000-28EC but it's tuff to justify the $ but I'm willing to do it if it makes a real difference.

[DonK]

 

DonK It sounds like you've spent some time playing the 000-28EC prior to purchasing the JO-27. IYO what are the primary differences in the the two? Other than the brand/price how is the tone, playing style, neck shape? I'm jones'n for a 000-28EC but it's tuff to justify the $ but I'm willing to do it if it makes a real difference.

 

 

Let me preface my response by saying I've played a dozen EC's, and I owned a regular 000-28 for several years, so I think my comparison of the Johnson to those guitars is not a matter of someone trying to tell himself the bargain guitar he bought is "just as good" to rationalize not having the "real thing". In addition, had I really wanted an EC, I could have gotten it, I had the means.

 

I think the sound and playability of the Johnson compare VERY favorably to the EC - in fact, amazingly so. The specs are extraordinarily similar, and I don't think you can find another guitar by any maker that comes as close to replicating the EC specs: Martin short-scale 24.9", 1.75 nut width, solid east Indian rosewood back and sides, solid spruce top, aging toner on the top, soft-V neck profile (though I think the V on the EC is a tad more pronounced). The sound is the best feature of the Johnson, and at least on mine, it is outstanding.

 

Now, the cosmetics are another story. Cosmetically, it's not an EC, no doubt about it. Nothing major, just not the meticulous attention to detail you expect on a Martin, especially a signature model. A few bits of excess glue ins some places along the kerfing, braces that aren't as perfectly shaped (I'm talking really minor here), a thicker gloss finish that's poly instead of nitro, a gloss finish on the back of the neck, whereas the Martin is satin (but which gets glossy pretty quickly as you play it). Tuners a little cheap looking compared to the EC's open-back butterbeans.

 

But there's no compromise on sound or playability, at least with the one I got. Beautiful wood too.

 

I'm finding this isn't necessarily an anomaly. I have a Martin D-41, but last year bought an Aria AD-80, which is virtually a dead ringer for a D-42. The neck on the AD-80 is a tad thinner than on the D-41, and it's got a poly finish. But unlike the Johnson, the construction on the Aria is every bit as meticulous as that of the D-41. Again, outstanding sound and playablity.

 

I have no reason to trumpet the virtues of these two bargain guitars, since I have the "real deal" in the case of the D-41, and could have had the same in the case of the EC (and I had a 000-28 previously). I suspect I have two very good samples of these particular instruments, but I realize the consistency isn't likely on par with Martin, and so another pair might not be as stellar.

 

But both my Aria and my Johsnson are simply excellent guitars in their own right, regardless of the low prices I paid.

[pds617]

Thanks for the detailed response. For some reason Johnson does not have a dealer in my area. The nearest is a two hour drive and when I called to ask a few questions the person I spoke with was not very positive about the line. He suggested I consider some of the other big brands they carried. Once again I appreciate your input, I need take a day to try one myself.

[JasonA]

There some misinformation in this thread... I owned a JO16 and JO26. They are exactly the same scale and the construction quality was pretty comparable. The top on my 16 was actually better (no runout). The biggest difference was the neck, which is a one piece V neck on the 26 and a 3 piece shallower neck on the 16.

 

Soundwise the 26 was better, but not by much to my ear. I ended up keeping the 16 because this was meant to be a beater for me and the 16 fit that definition better...

[mattk22]

 

There some misinformation in this thread... I owned a JO16 and JO26. They are exactly the same scale and the construction quality was pretty comparable. The top on my 16 was actually better (no runout). The biggest difference was the neck, which is a one piece V neck on the 26 and a 3 piece shallower neck on the 16. Soundwise the 26 was better, but not by much to my ear. I ended up keeping the 16 because this was meant to be a beater for me and the 16 fit that definition better...

 

 

 

I was wondering what was going on here. On the Johnson site they have the exact same specs. 25.75 scale and 1 25/32 nut.

 

DonK,

Where did you get the info that they are different?

[DonK]

 

I was wondering what was going on here. On the Johnson site they have the exact same specs. 25.75 scale and 1 25/32 nut. DonK, Where did you get the info that they are different?

 

 

-- From the website at the time I ordered it, which clearly said 24.9" scale length and 1.75" nut width.

 

-- From confirming both of the above with the dealer from which I purchased, prior to ordering.

 

-- From measuring both the scale length and the nut width with a very precise ruler a few minutes ago, confirming that they are 24.9" and 1.75" respectively (my ruler is designated in 64ths's, and indicates that the nut width is almost a hair short of 1.75", i.e., just north of 1 23/32", and definitely not 1 25/32".

 

I would not have bought a guitar with a 25.75" scale length, which is a very unusual length. Consider that standard Martin is 25.4", short Martin is 24.9", most Gibsons are 24.75", most others, for example Blueridge and Guild, are 25.5" - I can't think of another non-baritone instrument longer than 25.6".

 

If the 16 and 26 series are identical at this point and truly have a scale length of 25.75", then it must represent a change. Measuring 25.75" from the nut on my Johnson takes me almost to the back of the bridge.

[JasonA]

They are identical, but both are short scale as you measured. The specs on Saga's web site are wrong, which is not at all unusual.